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The players made the most of a brief break from the rain on Thursday at the 2023 CSA u16 Girls Week in Pietermaritzburg, with some sparkling individual performances lighting up the day.

The Gauteng Lions continued to assert their dominance with another big win and Ashleigh van Wyk joined the list of centurions at this year’s event as she drove Easterns to a victory over Northern Cape.

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Van Wyk blasted 23 boundaries, including six maximums, for the top score of the day, contributing 148 to her team’s massive 350/8.

Mieke van Voorst added 49 to further compound a massive challenge for Northern Cape.

Bowlers’ Tharsinii Sagathevan, Kananelo Mokoena and Micaela Edwards then combined effectively to cut short any hope of a miracle chase and secure a lopsided victory for the Eastern Storm girls.

The Gauteng Lions’ Fay Cowling and Neo Molefe demolished Western Province, with both recording unbeaten centuries. Molefe, who has yet to lose her wicket at this year’s event, scored her second ton in as many matches.

Danica Marais excelled for Eastern Province, capturing seven wickets in a thrilling battle against KwaZulu-Natal Inland.

She and Tara Nel wreaked havoc on the KZN Inland batting, but Tana Sinclair launched an inspired solo fightback attempt, tallying an undefeated 50 runs to take her side to within four runs of victory. Unfortunately for Sinclair, she had to watch helplessly from the non-striker’s end as the final wicket fell.

With more rain expected on day four, the scheduled T20 fixtures will be moved to ensure everyone gets at least one game in on Friday.

SUMMARISED SCORECARDS (Day three)

Free State 98 (Leoze Lottering 33, Zanelle Carelsen 26; Hannah Warner 4/12, Zukiswa Msiya 2/4, Ziyanda Xula 2/6); KwaZulu-Natal 85 (Hannah Warner 58; Lebogang Thoabala 3/24, Lebohang Rakoeane 2/17, Carlin Pienaar 2/26). Free State won by 13 runs.

Limpopo 172 (Extras 59, Blondy Baloyi 32, Respect Mabasa 22, Renet Schoeman 20; Elam Mbetshu 3/28, Azomila Silera 2/15, Lathitha Swartbooi 2/27, Unakho Gwala 2/36); Border 74 (Extras 24 Lathitha Swartbooi 15; D Robson 3/2, Murisi Rikhotso 3/37. Limpopo won by 98 runs.

Gauteng Lions 281/2 (Fay Cowling 109*, Neo Molefe 107*, Keabetwe Hlake 24; Jade Wyngaard 1/34); Western Province 125 (Imaan van Schalkwyk 35, Onke Batwa 32, Extras 29; Nosiphiwe Mashele 3/21, Thuto Thibedi 2/33). Gauteng Lions won by 156 runs.

Garden Route Badgers 87 (Extras 32; Charmaine Shongwe 2/8, Hayley Havenga 2/9); Mpumalanga 91/4 (Jessica Staubli 25*, Lillie Blignault 20; Nadia Wentzel 2/18). Mpumalanga won by six wickets.

Titans 46 (Extras 15, Gabrielle Sequiera 9*; Lesedi Loate 2/4, Puseletso Sekhute 2/4, Koketso Molefi 2/6, Tebogo Moate 2/15); North West 36 (Extras 16, Hendriet Jacobs 13; Lerato Sinabyoni 3/6, Mohau Phasha 3/11, Jane Verhage 3/14). Titans won by 10 runs.

Boland 257 (Extras 58, Wanda Mari Ham 53, Cornelia Destroo 46, Tayman Muggels 41, Janel Steenkamp 22, Amyoli Senti 20; Enkosi Mditswa 3/50, Papama Zinyosi 2/17, Thembakazi Gegesi 2/28, Olwethu Njani 2/29); Kei 77 (Anezo Skrenye 36, Extras 22; Janel Steenkamp 4/20, Taylum Moses 2/2, Beantra Daniels 2/10). Boland won by 180 runs.

Eastern Province 113 (Extras 32, Danica Marais 17; Minenhle Mkhize 3/36, Nothando Khumalo 2/2, Luthando Ngcobo 2/25); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 110 (Tana Sinclair 50*, Extras 27; Danica Marais 7/40, Tara Nel 2/4). Eastern Province won by three runs.

Easterns 350/8 (Ashleigh van Wyk 148, Extras 74, Mieke van Voorst 49; Bokao Ntuane 2/51, Onolo Masabala 2/58); Northern Cape 94 (Extras 36, Mine Auret 15; Tharsinii Sagathevan 3/12, Kananelo Mokoena 2/11, Micaela Edwards 2/15). Easterns won by 256 runs.

The U15 Three Nations Tournament is well and truly underway in the city of Rabat in Morocco, where three of Africa’s biggest footballing countries – South Africa, Morocco and Ivory Coast – are going toe-to-toe for bragging rights in the five-day-long tournament.

To kick start the tournament, South Africa locked horns with Ivory Coast at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on Tuesday, with the Ivorians claiming a 4-2 victory.

Despite the defeat, the South African u15 coach, Vela Khumalo, said his focus is on the overall vision behind the tournament, which aims to improve and develop African football to help the continent become a bigger player on the world stage, with the next edition of the FIFA U17 World Cup taking centre stage in 2025.

As a result, the Confederation of African Football, headed up by South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, has worked with the three participating countries’ governing bodies to bring together the most exciting u15 talent from the north, south and west of Africa. The goal is to nurture the young talent so that they are prepared to take on the best in the world in the u17 age group.

Despite Tuesday’s defeat, coach Khumalo reiterated that his players had gained experience, and that experience would come in handy in the future, be it in the national colours or locally in the Gauteng Development League.

Although his team went down, Khumalo said there were plenty of positives to take out of the contest.

“Remember this is the initiative that we want to see Africans develop more and get to the u17 level ready and exposed to these kinds of tournaments. This will give more minutes, more caps to our players. It will not be a new thing altogether,” he added.

South Africa has sent 29 players to Morocco, but coach Khumalo reckons it is not only the players that will benefit from the experience of being involved in the international football space.

The coach believes the entire coaching staff will return home having gained valuable experience that will be of great benefit to South African football.

“It is helping the technical team to identify the challenges that we are having in the build-up,” Khumalo explained.

“For our technical staff also, it’s experience gathered, and experience that will be used in the future,” he concluded.

The tournament runs until Sunday, 17 December.

SA U15 Touring Squad

#	NAME	SURNAME	TEAM
1.	Ronin	BLACKWELL	Panorama FC
2.	Keabetswe	MORAKE	Kaizer Chiefs
3.	Christiano	VON MUELEN	School of Excellence
4.	Sive	PAMA	Cape Town City
5.	Ncebo	MTOLO	Magic FC
6.	Lucca	LAZARUS	Supersport United
7.	Tswelelo	MAAKI	Supersport United
8.	Tiago	KAHN	Panorama FC
9.	Luke	HENDRIKS	Ubuntu FC
10.	Lebogang	MSWANE	School of Excellence
11.	Anovuyo	MQOQI	Cape Town City
12.	Royce	MALATJI	Kaizer Chiefs
13.	Kabelo	SIBANDE	Mamelodi Sundowns
14.	Thurston	PHILLIPS	Cape Town Spurs
15.	Selwyn	STEVENS	Cape Town Spurs
16.	Kgaogelo	MONANYANE	Mamelodi Sundowns
17.	Emile	WITBOOI	School of Excellence
18.	Ishaam	TILLING	Ubuntu FC
19.	Simphiwe	MLONDO	School of Excellence
20.	Neo	BOHLOKO	Kaizer Chiefs
21.	Adriano	ADAMS	Cape Town Spurs
22.	Lesego	HLOPHE	Kaizer Chiefs
23.	Bokamoso	MOKOKOSI	Kaizer Chiefs
24.	Steven	MENDEZ	Kaizer Chiefs
25.	Uyathanda	SBOTHOBOTHO	Cosmos FC
26.	Boyzy	NGIDI	Amazulu
27.	Luyanda	BIYELA	Amazulu
28.	Diego	DA SILVA	University of Pretoria
29.	Liam	MOKGOSINYANE	TS Galaxy

The 2023 Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament, which concluded on Wednesday in Gqeberha, showed that three teams – Western Province A, Central Gauteng A and KwaZulu-Natal A – were the class of the field, and that fact was clear when the SA Schools squad was announced following a cracking final between Western Province A and Southern Gauteng A.

The champions, who won 8-7 from the spot after the sides had finished regulation time level at 8-8, had six players named in the 15-man squad, including the winner of the Best Goalkeeper Trophy, Jordan de Sousa, the co-winner of the Best Attacker Trophy, Nicholas Fall, and the Player of the Tournament, Thomas Wiltshire.

Joining them in the green and gold were their teammates Noah Bigara, Johannes Reyneke, and Zack Cicero.

Central Gauteng A produced five SA Schools players, with Tristan Grimmet sharing the Best Attacker Trophy with Nick Fall. Greg Pryce, meanwhile, was the recipient of the FerFam Best Defender Trophy. The other Central Gauteng players named in the national line-up were Caleb van Loggerenberg, Benjamin Scher and Nicholas Pearce.

KwaZulu-Natal had three of their players get the seal of approval from the national selectors: Stef Swart, Mitchell Slade and Warwick Field.

Swart is the son of Justin Swart and Slade the son of John Slade, both of whom played rugby for the Sharks, among others.

Nelson Mandela Bay‘s Tawfiq Akomolafe completed the line-up.

Western Province coach Jabulani Sibiya was named the national coach, while Jon-Marc Carvalho, the coach of the Central Gauteng A side, was appointed team manager.

Lucky Letshabo and Dasch Barber were the two picks from the referees.

SACS, the top team in South Africa in 2023, had four of their players selected for the national side, while St John’s College produced three national players.

SA Schools Squad

Jordan de Sousa (Bishops, Western Province), Nicholas Fall (SACS, Western Province), Thomas Wiltshire (SACS), Noah Bigara (SACS, Western Province), Johannes Reyneke (Paul Roos, Western Province), Zack Cicero (SACS, Western Province), Tristan Grimmet (St David’s Marist Inanda, Central Gauteng), Greg Pryce (St John ‘s College, Central Gauteng), Caleb van Loggerenberg (St John ‘s College, Central Gauteng), Benjamin Scher (St Stithians College, Central Gauteng), Nicholas Pearce (St John ‘s College, Central Gauteng), Stef Swart (Hilton College, KZN), Mitchell Slade (Clifton College, KZN), Warwick Field (Westville Boys’ High, KZN), Tawfiq Akamolafe (Grey High School, Nelson Mandela Bay).

Central Gauteng‘s domination of the Schools Water Polo South Africa girls’ u19 Inter-Provincial Tournament was underlined when the South African Schools team, named at the conclusion of the event on Wednesday, included two players from the Central Gauteng B side.

While the Central Gauteng A side captured the title with a 12-10 win over a feisty Western Province outfit, Central Gauteng B came from behind to defeat KwaZulu-Natal 4-3 in a penalty shootout, after their playoff for third place had ended 5-5, to finish the tournament in a lofty third position.

Their Amy Smith and Jessica Black, both from St Mary’s Waverley, contributed crucial goals in the knockout stages and were named in the 15-player squad. The selections also included four players from St Stithians Girls’ College, who represented the Central Gauteng A squad: Charlotte Crick, Georgia Eccles, Jenna Penney, and Liyakhanya Ndamane.

Kara Wicht, and the Roedean duo of Michaela Bonaventura and Mia Loizides, who scored a cracking five in the final, were also, unsurprisingly, included in the side.

Crick received the Best Attacker Trophy after Western Province A had edged out Central Gauteng A in the u19 boys’ final, the last match of 421 played from u13 to u19 level, all in Gqeberha.

Ndamane, meanwhile, was recognised as the Best Goalkeeper, and Penney, who will be representing South Africa for a second year in a row, picked up the Player of the Tournament Trophy.

It wasn’t quite a clean sweep of the individual awards for Central Gauteng, with Hannah Banks, from the Western Province A side, being presented with the Best Attacker Trophy. Banks also topped the individual goal scoring charts, netting 33 times. She was joined in the SA Schools squad by her Reddam House teammate Emma Catto and Herschel‘s Morgan Christian.

KwaZulu-Natal landed Emma Thornton in the line-up, while Buffalo City‘s Tori Voke also cracked the nod, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Nelson Mandela Bay‘s standout player during the week, Kingswood College‘s Matipa Karimazondo, is also in the frame, and will add value on defence and attack to a side that is filled with experience. Karimazondo was influential for her side and ranked second in the tournament with 11 blocks.

Etienne le Roux, of the champion Central Gauteng A side, was named the coach of the team, while Western Province’s Nicola Barrett will manage the squad.

It will also be the last time Le Roux works with the Central Gauteng players as he’s due for a move to Rondebosch Boys’ High next year.

Lee-Anne Stewart and Matthew Stringer were appointed referees.

SA Schools Squad

Amy Smith (St Mary’s Waverley, Central Gauteng B), Charlotte Crick (St Stithians College, Central Gauteng A), Emma Catto (Reddam House, Western Province A), Emma Thornton (St Anne’s Diocesan College, KwaZulu-Natal), Georgia Eccles (St Stithians College, Central Gauteng A), Hannah Banks (Reddam House, Western Province A), Jenna Penney (St Stithians College, Central Gauteng A), Jessica Black (St Mary’s Waverley, Central Gauteng B), Kara Wicht (St Dominic’s, Central Gauteng A), Liyakhanya Ndamane (St Stithians College, Central Gauteng A), Mia Loizides (Roedean, Central Gauteng A), Michaela Bonaventura (Roedean, Central Gauteng A), Matipa Karimazondo (Kingswood College, Nelson Mandela Bay), Morgan Christian (Herschel, Western Province A), Tori Voke (Clarendon High School, Buffalo City)

Day four of the CSA u19 Girls Week, taking place in Cape Town, saw South Africa’s top young talent battle it out in two rounds of T20 action, to see who would take on whom on the tournament’s final day.

Daneli Boshoff and Gizelle Abrahams played pivotal roles for Boland to help their side maintain its unbeaten record.

Boshoff showed immense character with the bat as she piled on the runs in both matches. She kicked off the fourth day with an exhilarating 91 runs from just 75 deliveries against the Mpumalanga Rhinos.

She then continued her superb form with another half-century – a mature knock landing her the top score in the Boland innings once again, this time with 51. Her opening partner, Gizelle Abrahams, wasn’t far behind.

She got in on the action against the Rhinos with a measured 72 runs from 75 balls as the pair batted the entire 20 overs to hurry Boland to 181 without loss.

Abrahams, then, also contributed a half-century, making 50 against Northern Cape, as the openers combined for another century stand.

Western Province also finished their day with a clean record thanks to a wonderful bowling exhibition from Caitlin van Wyngaard, who captured six wickets for 22 runs in her side’s two victories, picking up 3/11 in both games.

On the batting front, it was the consistently impressive Kayla Reyneke, who set the tone for the hosts, putting together a half-century against Free State to guide Province to a decent 113/4 in their 20 overs.

The biggest upset of the day was Kwazulu-Natal’s victory over the favourites, the Gauteng Lions. Nokulunga Shangase’s two for 18 helped restrict the Gauteng side to a disappointing 103/6. Then it was the turn of Seshnie Naidu to put the Lions’ bowlers to the sword.

Playing a mature knock, she anchored the KZN innings with 30 runs, which helped her team to a narrow but well deserved two-wicket victory.

In their second game of the day, the Coastal side expertly shrugged off the Eastern Storm’s challenge. Luyanda Nzuza starred with a committed innings that left her unbeaten on 55 when KZN secured a comfortable six-wicket victory.

An impressive Kei side appeared to have finally hit their straps as they, also, bagged two victories. Elethu Mataka led the way against the Garden Route Badgers, snaring 3/11 as the Badgers were bundled out for just 35. It was an easy run chase for Kei, who won by a comprehensive margin of nine wickets.

The second time out, Kei held on for a two-wicket win over Limpopo. Sgempana Elethu, with 3/13, and Yonga Rutsha, with 3/10, were pivotal in the victory.

The Titans’ pair of Janicke Janse van Rensburg and Simone Lourens got their side back to winning ways following a loss to Western Province.

Up against Eastern Province, the Titans romped to a convincing 60-run win. Janse van Rensburg batted well for an excellent 80 runs from 86 deliveries, while Lourens contributed 64 runs of her own, from just 57 balls.

Summarised Scoresheets 

Boland 181/0 (Daneli Boshoff 91*, Gizelle Abrahams 72*); Mpumalanga 79/9 (Chris-Marie Bezuidenhout 29, Sveva Moore 24; Mia-Lize van der Vyver 3/3, Siyema Stefana 2/1). Boland won by 108 runs. 

Boland 134/4 (Daneli Boshoff 51, Gizelle Abrahams 50; Boitsoko Molusi 2/10); Northern Cape 55/9 (Mothapelo Ntsayagae 18, Extras 21; Tinita van Zyl 4/12). Boland won by 79 runs.

Western Province 113/4 (Kayla Reyneke 50*, Alexia Kontopirakis 27; Boitumelo Lephaila 1/6); Free State 96/6 (Miane Smit 51; Caitlin Wyngaardt 3/11, Jemma Botha 2/19, Reneke 2/20). Western Province won by 17 runs. 

Western Province 82/10 (Lilitha Bukabuda 23; Monalisa Lefodi 3/12, Mienke de Jager 3/18); Titans 74/9 (Christelle van der Schyff 37; Caitlin van Wyngaardt 3/11). Western Province won by eight runs. 

Gauteng Lions 72/7 (Karabo Meso 36, Mia Kruger 20; Nokulunga Shongase 2/18); KwaZulu-Natal 104/8 (Seshnie Naidu 30, Extras 26; Khanyisile Nkosi 1/7). KwaZulu-Natal won by two wickets.

Eastern Storm 104/7 (Tamzyn Hartman 22, Mpumelelo Mashiloane 20; Sisanda Ngubane 3/13, Luyanda Nzuza 3/12); KwaZulu-Natal 108/4 (Luyanda Nzuza 55*, Olwethu Gaza 27; Thando Zulu 2/11). KwaZulu-Natal won by six wickets.

SWD Badgers 35/10 (Kelsey Stuurman 11; Elethu Mataka 3/11); Kei 36/1 (Siviwe Silo 12). Kei won by nine wickets. 

Limpopo 71/9 (Meghan-Lee Mans 28; Yonga Rutsha 3/10, Sgempana Elethu 3/13); Kei 72/8 (Nontokoza Mchiza 18; Shelfa Mukhari 4/15). Kei won by two wickets.

Other Results 

North West 72/7 (Deidre van Rensburg 32; Tokologo Motsepe 2/11, Khanyisile Nkosi 2/6); Gauteng Lions 73/2 (Karabo Meso 24, Lethabo Bidli 20; Tsegofatso Thomas 1/5). Gauteng Lions won by eight wickets.

Titans 179/2 (Janicke Janse van Rensburg 80, Simone Lourens 64; Lana von Hagen 1/20); Eastern Province 119/8 (Iman Bonnasse 23, Megan Fourie 23, Sesona Jodwana 22*; Lesedi Madisha 4/31, Monalisa Legodi 2/22). Titans won by 60 runs.

Free State 137/5 (Miane Smit 47, Erica Gates 32; Lana von Hagen 2/26); Eastern Province 116/8 (Alison Kroon 25, Extras 24; Miane Smit 4/27, Chane Lang 2/12). Free State won by 21 runs.

SWD Badgers 95/5 (Kelsey Stuurman 33; Mbali Mkhize 1/7); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 73/6 (Jessica Chandler 38*; Sange Somatamba 2/8, Rusha van Wieling 2/21). SWD Badgers won by 22 runs. 

Limpopo 78/8 (Meghan-Lee Mans 17; Jessica Chandler 3/9, Asanda Zondi 3/9); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 59/10 (Nelile Nzimande 16, Extras 27; Manyaga Itumeleng 2/5, Shakira Malatji 2/9, Nicole Labuschangne 2/12, Shelfa Mukhari 2/15). Limpopo won by 19 runs.

North West 120/6 (Karabo Lemphane 36, Deidre van Rensburg 24; Leeyandre Bently 2/9); Eastern Storm 113/5 (Mpumelelo Mashiloane 69; Leratho Kotokoane 2/21). North West won by seven runs.

Northern Cape 96/3 (Elizma Erasmus 23*, Nonnbuso Makatang 22; Akhile Mollalane 1/13); Border 74/8 (Cayleigh Wanckel 33; Elizma Erasmus 2/10). Northern Cape won by 22 runs.

Border 137/4 (Holly Harris 48*, Thabelani Metu 29*, Extras 34; Snothando Letswele 1/17); Mpumalanga Rhinos 81/5 (Donalee Cloete 19*; Cayleigh Wanckel 3/14). Border won by 56 runs.

Two groups of 23 players have been invited to attend under-20 alignment camps in Stellenbosch and Pretoria in January to kickstart the preparations for the SA Rugby Academy and Junior Springbok season.

The first camp, which includes Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Cheetahs, Sharks, and DHL Western Province players, will be hosted at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport from Monday, 15, to Friday, 19 January.

The second camp will be hosted a week later at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, from Monday, 22, to Friday, 26 January, and will feature players from the Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Sharks and DHL Western Province.

Ten of the players have been included in both groups as the Junior Springbok coaches look to cast their net as wide as possible to identify the top uU20 players in the country, while a bunch of 2023 Junior Springbok players have also been included in the squads.

The purpose of the camps is to prepare the players for the demands of Junior Springbok rugby and to align their skills with the strategic objectives of the national team.

Players invited to the U20 Alignment Camps

Stellenbosch camp: Liam Koen, Mbasa Maqubela, Ruan Swart, JF Van Heerden (all Vodacom Bulls), Tylor Sefoor (Toyota Cheetahs), Litelihle Bester, Thomas Dyer, Batho Hlekani, Jurenzo Julius, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Nicolas Snyman (all Sharks), Luca Bakkes, Josh Boulle, Grant De Jager, Adam De Waal, CJ Erasmus, Divan Fuller, Andre Goedhals, Joel Leotlela, JC Mars, Asad Moos, Ezekiel Ngubeni, Zachary Porthen (DHL Western Province).

Pretoria camp: Caleb Abrahams, Casper Badenhorst, Keanu Coetzee, Michail Damon, Jaco Grobbelaar, Alfondso Isaacs, Liam Koen, Mbasa Maqubela, Juan Smal, Ruan Swart, JJ Theron, JF van Heerden, PA van Niekerk (all Vodacom Bulls), Reno Hirst, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Thabang Mphafi, Haashim Pead, Thurlon Williams (all Lions), Litelihle Bester, Batho Hlekani, Jurenzo Julius (all Sharks), Luca Bakkes, Zachary Porthen (both DHL Western Province)

Day four of the CSA u19 Girls Week, taking place in Cape Town, saw South Africa’s top young talent battle it out in two rounds of T20 action, to see who would take on whom on the tournament’s final day.

Daneli Boshoff and Gizelle Abrahams played pivotal roles for Boland to help their side maintain its unbeaten record.

Boshoff showed immense character with the bat as she piled on the runs in both matches. She kicked off the fourth day with an exhilarating 91 runs from just 75 deliveries against the Mpumalanga Rhinos.

She then continued her superb form with another half-century – a mature knock landing her the top score in the Boland innings once again, this time with 51. Her opening partner, Gizelle Abrahams, wasn’t far behind.

She got in on the action against the Rhinos with a measured 72 runs from 75 balls as the pair batted the entire 20 overs to hurry Boland to 181 without loss.

Abrahams, then, also contributed a half-century, making 50 against Northern Cape, as the openers combined for another century stand.

Western Province also finished their day with a clean record thanks to a wonderful bowling exhibition from Caitlin van Wyngaard, who captured six wickets for 22 runs in her side’s two victories, picking up 3/11 in both games.

On the batting front, it was the consistently impressive Kayla Reyneke, who set the tone for the hosts, putting together a half-century against Free State to guide Province to a decent 113/4 in their 20 overs.

The biggest upset of the day was Kwazulu-Natal’s victory over the favourites, the Gauteng Lions. Nokulunga Shangase’s two for 18 helped restrict the Gauteng side to a disappointing 103/6. Then it was the turn of Seshnie Naidu to put the Lions’ bowlers to the sword.

Playing a mature knock, she anchored the KZN innings with 30 runs, which helped her team to a narrow but well deserved two-wicket victory.

In their second game of the day, the Coastal side expertly shrugged off the Eastern Storm’s challenge. Luyanda Nzuza starred with a committed innings that left her unbeaten on 55 when KZN secured a comfortable six-wicket victory.

An impressive Kei side appeared to have finally hit their straps as they, also, bagged two victories. Elethu Mataka led the way against the Garden Route Badgers, snaring 3/11 as the Badgers were bundled out for just 35. It was an easy run chase for Kei, who won by a comprehensive margin of nine wickets.

The second time out, Kei held on for a two-wicket win over Limpopo. Sgempana Elethu, with 3/13, and Yonga Rutsha, with 3/10, were pivotal in the victory.

The Titans’ pair of Janicke Janse van Rensburg and Simone Lourens got their side back to winning ways following a loss to Western Province.

Up against Eastern Province, the Titans romped to a convincing 60-run win. Janse van Rensburg batted well for an excellent 80 runs from 86 deliveries, while Lourens contributed 64 runs of her own, from just 57 balls.

Summarised Scoresheets 

Boland 181/0 (Daneli Boshoff 91*, Gizelle Abrahams 72*); Mpumalanga 79/9 (Chris-Marie Bezuidenhout 29, Sveva Moore 24; Mia-Lize van der Vyver 3/3, Siyema Stefana 2/1). Boland won by 108 runs. 

Boland 134/4 (Daneli Boshoff 51, Gizelle Abrahams 50; Boitsoko Molusi 2/10); Northern Cape 55/9 (Mothapelo Ntsayagae 18, Extras 21; Tinita van Zyl 4/12). Boland won by 79 runs.

Western Province 113/4 (Kayla Reyneke 50*, Alexia Kontopirakis 27; Boitumelo Lephaila 1/6); Free State 96/6 (Miane Smit 51; Caitlin Wyngaardt 3/11, Jemma Botha 2/19, Reneke 2/20). Western Province won by 17 runs. 

Western Province 82/10 (Lilitha Bukabuda 23; Monalisa Lefodi 3/12, Mienke de Jager 3/18); Titans 74/9 (Christelle van der Schyff 37; Caitlin van Wyngaardt 3/11). Western Province won by eight runs. 

Gauteng Lions 72/7 (Karabo Meso 36, Mia Kruger 20; Nokulunga Shongase 2/18); KwaZulu-Natal 104/8 (Seshnie Naidu 30, Extras 26; Khanyisile Nkosi 1/7). KwaZulu-Natal won by two wickets.

Eastern Storm 104/7 (Tamzyn Hartman 22, Mpumelelo Mashiloane 20; Sisanda Ngubane 3/13, Luyanda Nzuza 3/12); KwaZulu-Natal 108/4 (Luyanda Nzuza 55*, Olwethu Gaza 27; Thando Zulu 2/11). KwaZulu-Natal won by six wickets.

SWD Badgers 35/10 (Kelsey Stuurman 11; Elethu Mataka 3/11); Kei 36/1 (Siviwe Silo 12). Kei won by nine wickets. 

Limpopo 71/9 (Meghan-Lee Mans 28; Yonga Rutsha 3/10, Sgempana Elethu 3/13); Kei 72/8 (Nontokoza Mchiza 18; Shelfa Mukhari 4/15). Kei won by two wickets.

Other Results 

North West 72/7 (Deidre van Rensburg 32; Tokologo Motsepe 2/11, Khanyisile Nkosi 2/6); Gauteng Lions 73/2 (Karabo Meso 24, Lethabo Bidli 20; Tsegofatso Thomas 1/5). Gauteng Lions won by eight wickets.

Titans 179/2 (Janicke Janse van Rensburg 80, Simone Lourens 64; Lana von Hagen 1/20); Eastern Province 119/8 (Iman Bonnasse 23, Megan Fourie 23, Sesona Jodwana 22*; Lesedi Madisha 4/31, Monalisa Legodi 2/22). Titans won by 60 runs.

Free State 137/5 (Miane Smit 47, Erica Gates 32; Lana von Hagen 2/26); Eastern Province 116/8 (Alison Kroon 25, Extras 24; Miane Smit 4/27, Chane Lang 2/12). Free State won by 21 runs.

SWD Badgers 95/5 (Kelsey Stuurman 33; Mbali Mkhize 1/7); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 73/6 (Jessica Chandler 38*; Sange Somatamba 2/8, Rusha van Wieling 2/21). SWD Badgers won by 22 runs. 

Limpopo 78/8 (Meghan-Lee Mans 17; Jessica Chandler 3/9, Asanda Zondi 3/9); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 59/10 (Nelile Nzimande 16, Extras 27; Manyaga Itumeleng 2/5, Shakira Malatji 2/9, Nicole Labuschangne 2/12, Shelfa Mukhari 2/15). Limpopo won by 19 runs.

North West 120/6 (Karabo Lemphane 36, Deidre van Rensburg 24; Leeyandre Bently 2/9); Eastern Storm 113/5 (Mpumelelo Mashiloane 69; Leratho Kotokoane 2/21). North West won by seven runs.

Northern Cape 96/3 (Elizma Erasmus 23*, Nonnbuso Makatang 22; Akhile Mollalane 1/13); Border 74/8 (Cayleigh Wanckel 33; Elizma Erasmus 2/10). Northern Cape won by 22 runs.

Border 137/4 (Holly Harris 48*, Thabelani Metu 29*, Extras 34; Snothando Letswele 1/17); Mpumalanga Rhinos 81/5 (Donalee Cloete 19*; Cayleigh Wanckel 3/14). Border won by 56 runs.

The Titans are set for a rematch with KwaZulu-Natal in the featured match on the concluding day of the 2023 CSA u16 Boys Week. This comes after a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday, which saw the Gauteng Lions come up short in the penultimate round against the Titans.

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The Titans visited the crease first and a splendid knock of 66 by Tshepang Laka was the cornerstone of their competitive total of 191/9.

Good fielding bagged the Gauteng Lions three early wickets, but Xander Venter steadied the ship, and along with Laka and Amogelang Tshoagong helped to drive the team from north of the Jukskei to a solid total.

Unlike on the previous couple of days, the Lions’ top order could not find a foothold in the face of a relentless onslaught by Venter and his teammates.

Jubalani Mangena and Adam Cannata both struck twice for the Titans as they ploughed through the Gauteng line-up to win by a comfortable 64-run margin to set up a showdown with KZN on the final day.

The KZN boys have been in fine form all week long and go into the last day as the only unbeaten team in the Platinum Group. They have already dealt with Boland, Eastern Province and the KwaZulu-Natal Inland team, and they beat the Titans by 54 runs on the second day.

Their KZN Inland counterparts have also enjoyed a successful week, but Semal Pillay took charge in the battle of the provincial rivals, anchoring the KZN innings with a valuable 56 from 83 deliveries, which allowed his teammates the freedom to chase runs. After utilising their full 50 overs, they left the Inland boys a target of 225 for victory.

In the face of a fine bowling performance from Kyle White, who ripped apart the KZN Inland batting, on his way to a return of 5/22, they were unable to mount a challenge. Akhil Maharaj also played a key role, picking up two crucial early wickets, to set Inland on the back foot. They were unable to recover and came up 55 runs shy of their target.

Trent Huisamen produced a superb all-round performance, knocking over seven batsmen with the ball and then scoring a half-century with the bat, as the home team, the Garden Route Badgers, continued a strong showing in familiar conditions to beat North West by 96 runs.

Easterns have not lost a single game during the week, and Jaden Govender‘s solid 60 helped them to take their record to three from three with a win over Border.

Abdullah Tadwallah played a big role in foiling the Border boys’ challenge, combining with Stian van Breda to work through the top order quickly, despite decent knocks by Iminathi Jumba early on and Inga Mafanga towards the end of the match.

The battle between neighbours’ Western Province and Boland was exciting. Despite a good bowling spell by Aden Batt for Boland, Joshua Neill and Daniel Bosman helped their team overhaul the Boland total with five wickets to spare.

SUMMARISED SCORECARDS (Day Four)

Titans 191/9 (Tshepang Laka 66, Xander Venter 55, Amogelang Tshoagong 24; Samrat Basu 3/24, Morteza Manack 2/31); Gauteng 127 (Alec Loveland 23, Nkosana Sibiya 20; Jabulani Mangena 2/16, Adam Cannata 2/20). Titans won by 64 runs.

KwaZulu-Natal 225/6 (Semal Pillay 56, Jayden Roux 31, Extras 27, Roxton Payne 24*, Kyle White 22*, Sbani Qwabe 20; D Naidoo 1/17); KZN Inland 170 (Ethan Muir 42, Nicholas Baker 41; Kyle White 5/22, Dayalan Boyce 2/24. Akhil Maharaj 2/40). KwaZulu-Natal won by 55 runs.

Free State 134 (FG Botha 36, Naudé Botha 35; Rhys Wiblin 3/20, Buncwane Mangongoma 2/4); Eastern Province 135/5 (Randy Syce 43*, William Beamish 32, Cayden Wilson 26; FG Botha 3/42). Eastern Province won by five wickets.

Garden Route Badgers 158 (Trent Huisamen 50, Extras 32, Kurt Botha 27, Joof Enslin 23; Prince Maromagoe 3/23, Olebogeng Sebakwane 3/29, Ompile Rangwaga 2/17); North West 62 (Extras 18, Callie Fryer 17; Trent Huisamen 7/18, Ducayne Plaatjies 3/35). Garden Route Badgers won by 96 runs.

Northern Cape 177/9 (Faizan Kajee 44*, Arno Mostert 33, Extras 29; Asi Madikazi 3/27, Ase Madikazi 2/17); Kei 77 (Asi Madikazi 37; Arno Mostert 2/1, Omphile Jonas 2/11, Faizan Kajee 2/14). Northern Cape won by 100 runs.

Easterns 195 (Jaden Govender 60, Extras 39, Slade Mowbray 28, Wian Pieters 26; Bungqina Nuku 4/16, Hattingh 2/48); Border 144 (Inga Mafanga 35*, Iminathi Jumba 34, Extras 24; Abdullah Tadwalla 4/30, Stian van Breda 2/20). Easterns won by 51 runs.

Mpumalanga 118/9 (Janco Breyl 36, Extras 22, WJ Enslin 20; Mahlodi Sekuba 4/21, Luka Heinlein 2/19); Limpopo 98 (Muaz Muhammed 40, Extras 25; Vaughn van Zyl 4/30, Eduan Strydom 3/13). Mpumalanga won by twenty runs.

Boland 157/7 (Liam Basson 45, Reagan Davids 34, Extras 22; Muhammad Schroeder 2/20); Western Province 158/6 (Joshua Neill 46, Daniel Bosman 41; Aden Batt 3/42). Western Province by four wickets.

Neo Molefe‘s unstoppable form at the crease paved the way for the Gauteng Lions‘ massive 363-run victory over the Garden Route Badgers on the first day of the CSA u16 Girls Week.

They, along with the KZN Coastal and Western Province, recorded big victories to open their campaign at the annual Youth Week.

Meanwhile, the battle between Boland and North West could go either way until the North West girls managed to cut the Boland innings short with only seven runs to spare.

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Molefe saw out all 50 overs as she smashed 24 boundaries in her nearly four-hour spell. She was assisted by a confident knock of 72 by Fay Cowling, who also went on to take four wickets for a loss of only three runs as they plowed through the Badgers’ batting lineup.

Lebohang Rakoena also struck four times for Free State against Limpopo.

The Western Province batters were on song on Day One, with Danielleh Hugo leading the charge to score 85 runs. Nuha Benjamin and Cara Bester both also passed the 50-run milestone, while Zintle Dzizi and Ashline Titus both found their target twice to help dismiss Mpumalanga for 55.

Shreeya Subbia recorded the astounding bowling figures of 4/5 in KwaZulu-Natal‘s romp over Kei, and her teammates Riankah Rameshwur and Aleah Govender combined superbly to leave their batters an easy target by dismissing the remaining six Kei girls in no time.

Despite the accuracy of Melissa van der Merwe and the rest of the Boland bowlers, the North West girls responded in kind, protecting their low total for a thrilling win on their first outing.

Puseletso Sekhute struck down four Boland batters, conceding only two runs. Her brilliant performance alone still might not have been enough though, were it not for the excellent support she received from Tebogo Moate (3/8) and Lesedi Loate (2/20).

The hosts came up 39 runs short against Northern Cape on the first day. Remoneilwa Gabobonwe ran the show for her team, snaring six KZN Inland wickets to help her side to a positive start to the week’s action.

Summarized Scorecards:

Gauteng Lions 427/6 (Neo Molefe 175*, Extras 78, Fay Cowling 72, Keabetwe Hlake 36, Callia Bennette 21; Inam Sigede 2/37); Garden Route Badgers 64 (Felicia Prins 27; Fay Cowling 4/3, Jenna-LeeLubbe 2/4, Leani Swanepoel 2/13). Gauteng Lions won by 363 runs.

Border 44 (Extras 14, Asemahle Nyoka 11; Shreeya Subbiah 4/5, Riankah Rameshwur 3/3, Aleah Govender 3/16); KwaZulu-Natal 46/1 (Shreeya Subbiah 20*; Lathitha Swartbooi 1/12). KwaZulu-Natal won by nine wickets.

Free State 215 (Extras 65, Bokamosho Motsabi 34, Leoze Lottering 29, Nonceba Valashiya 27;  Robson 2/13, Malokwane Shika 2/20, Thato Maseka 2/35, Respect Mabasa 2/44); Limpopo 102 (Extras 45, Tlhompo Tjia 29; Lebohang Rakoeana 4/28, Bokamosho Motsabi 3/7, Zanelle Carelsen 2/8). Free State won by 113 runs.

Western Province 358/8 (Danielleh Hugo 85, Nuha Benjamin 74, Cara Bester 68, Extras 55, Miya Lalor 36, Ashline Titus 24*; Charmaine Shongwe 2/82); Mpumalanga 55 (Extras 17, Thato  Ngwenya 15; Zintle Dzizi 2/11, Ashline Titus 2/21). Western Province won by 303 runs.

Kei 106 (Extras 44, Enkosi Mditswa 27; Palesa Mokheseng 3/23, Mohau Phasha 2/11, Monique Vinson 2/17). Titans 109/4 (Extras 29, Ymke Handford 26; Qhawe Tenjwa 2/21). Titans won by six wickets.

North West 78 (Ayanda Mosothoana 27, Extras 23; Melissa van der Merwe 3/9, Kezia Jordaan 2/9, Janel Steenkamp 2/20); Boland 71 (Tayman Muggels 31; Puseletso Sekhute 4/2, Tebogo Moate 3/8, Lesedi Loate 2/20). North West won by seven runs.

Northern Cape 146 (Extras 43, Keziah Adams 31; Slindile Mamba 2/12, Minenhle Mkhize 2/19, Mia van der Merwe 2/19, Nothando Khumalo 2/26); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 107 (Tana Sinclair 38, Extras 36; Remoneilwa Gabobonwe 6/30, Shauneeq Stewart 2/23). Northern Cape won by 39 runs.

The unofficial defending champions of the Khaya Majola Week, Western Province, will face the hosts Eastern Province during the opening day of this year’s annual cricket week hosted by Makhanda.

Catch all the action live on from the Khaya Majola Week on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

Western Province defeated KwaZulu-Natal by 146 runs in the main match of last year’s edition in Stellenbosch. Last year was WP’s first appearance in the main match since 2019.

It was only the third main match since 2012 that Gauteng was not in action in this prestigious game. It will however be difficult to stop this year’s side from Gauteng.

It might be one of the most experienced provincial squads to ever take part in the Khaya Majola Week. They boast in their bowling attack fast bowler, Kwena Maphaka, who made his debut for the South African A-side in Sri Lanka earlier this year. The team’s bowling attack also includes spin bowler, Sipho Potsane, who will like Maphaka also represent South Africa at the ICC u19 World Cup next year.

The SA u19 captain, David Teeger, together with the left-handed opening batsman, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, and Richard Seletswane, will form the backbone of the team’s batting line-up. All of them are national u19-players with Pretorius also being one of the rookies for next year’s SA20 with the Paarl Royals.

Seletswane will be attempting to make the SA Schools side for the third year in a row. The first player to do so since Thulani Ngxoweni (Selborne College) won his third cap back in 1996. It will make him only the 37th player to do so since the first SA Schools side was picked back in 1940.

Add last year’s SA Colts’ captain, Thebe Gazide, to the mix as well as SA u19 fast bowler Esa Aihevba and you have a very formidable team.

Gauteng will start their campaign off against Boland. There is however a spanner in the works which could have an impact on their campaign. All SA u19 bowlers must sit out two of their side’s three matches during the tournament.

Boland’s captain, Riley Norton, will be in a race to make the SA Schools side to add his name to a special group of 14 sportsmen who have represented both the cricket and rugby national schools’ sides. Norton represented the SA Schools rugby side earlier this year. He is only in grade 11 and could also attempt to make the side’s next year.

The Groups & Pools:

Platinum Group

Pool A: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, Free State, Boland.
Pool B: Western Province, Titans, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Province.

Gold Group

Pool A: North West, Border, Mpumalanga, Kei.
Pool B: Easterns, Garden Route Badgers, Northern Cape, Limpopo.

The fixtures: 

Day 1 | 16 December 2023

Western Province vs Eastern Province (Somerset Field)
KwaZulu-Natal Inland vs Free State (Lower Field)
Gauteng vs Boland (Knowling Field)
Titans vs KwaZulu-Natal (Gane Field)
Garden Route Badgers vs Northern Cape (Marais Field)
Border vs Mpumalanga (Cuylerville)
Easterns vs Limpopo (Salem)
North West vs Kei (Manley Flats)

Day 2 | 17 December 2023 

Gauteng vs Free State (Somerset Field)
Eastern Province vs Titans (Lower Field)
Western Province vs KwaZulu-Natal (Lords Field)
KwaZulu-Natal Inland vs Boland (Gane Field)
North West vs Mpumalanga (Knowling Field)
Border vs Kei (Marais Field)
Garden Route Badgers vs Limpopo (Cuylerville)
Easterns vs Northern Cape (Salem)

Day 3 | 18 December 2023 

Gauteng vs KwaZulu-Natal Inland (Somerset Field)
Titans vs Western Province (Lower Field)
KwaZulu-Natal vs Eastern Province (Knowling Field)
Free State vs Boland (Marais Field)
North West vs Border (Salem)
Easterns vs Garden Route Badgers (Kingswood College III)
Mpumalanga vs Kei (Cuylerville)
Limpopo vs Northern Cape (Manley Flats)